What is the Media Configuration Tool and how do I run it?

The Media Configuration tool is a separate program. To run it (example shown for iPF5000):

On Windows: Start -> All Programs -> IPF5000 Media Configuration Tool -> IPF5000 Media Configuration Tool

The Media Configuration Tool allows you to do very specific (and limited) things with with Media Types:

• Add new Media Types via a Media Description File (.med file extension). New Media Types are displayed in the driver and on the printer LCD. You can't create your own Media Description File, they are supplied by Canon for Canon papers. You may be able to get media description files for third party papers if the paper manufacturer produces them. There are two options:
  • Add a batch of media types (used when the Media Configuration Tool is updated by Canon with a lot of new Media Types)
  • Add new media types one at a time (e.g., for third party Media Types or if Canon comes out with one new paper)
• Edit Media types
  • Delete media types (but the Canon media types can't be deleted)
  • Show or Hide media types (only applies to the driver, hidden media types are still displayed on the printer LCD)
  • Rearrange the order that existing media types are displayed (for both the driver and the printer LCD)
• Upload information on the added, deleted or rearranged Media Types to the printer

Summary: Unless Canon releases new Media Types, the only things you can do with the Media Configuration Tool is to hide Media Types in the driver and change the order in which Media types are displayed for both the driver and on the printer LCD.

Update 11/21/10: The Media Configuration Tool for the iPF6300 and iPF8300 allows you to create your own Media Types.